Author: Richard Wallace

Perhaps you’ve noticed a proliferation of Farmhouse and Modern Farmhouse elevations. I was recently asked why I thought that’s the case. Could it be all because of a popular TV show? Perhaps there is more to the popularity.

THE PERFECT BLEND

I believe the farmhouse style is the perfect blend of nostalgia and modern-day vibe. It is nostalgic with its iconic gable forms. Ask any first grader to draw a house and nine times out of ten, you’ll get a house with a gable. The style also has a current vibe that we see throughout the design – both inside and out. Simple clean lines and not overly ornate. These clean lines are also evident in kitchen cabinets, appliances – even fabrics.

WELCOMING

Not all, but most farmhouse elevations have a front porch – which makes them very welcoming. Whether the home has roughhewn columns or ones painted white, the depth of the porch on a farmhouse is important and generally ample. A minimum of 6′ in depth is considered usable.

NOT BEIGE

I believe another contributing factor to its popularity is that these homes are not typically painted “builder beige.” Picture an entire street of earth tone in various shades of beige. Hey – I get it. Beige was safe. No one wanted to go out on a limb and pick an outrageous color for a home. It was also a byproduct of the popularity of the craftsman style – which the farmhouse will quickly replace as the most preferred style. However, an entire street of white farmhouse elevations is just as lifeless as an all-beige streetscape and will also not stand the test of time.

ROOM FOR EXPRESSION

Perhaps the biggest reason for the style’s popularity is its ability to be either traditional or modern and everything in between. Furthermore, what is considered modern in one location may be considered moderate in another location. We see a lot of white paired with black window frames. Note how the elevation below uses black to accentuate the board and batten, allowing the white stucco to also stand out and highlight the entry. Intentionality matters!

WHAT ARE THE KEY ELEMENTS?

For me, as previously stated, it all starts with a prominent gable element. Mind you, this is not the nineties where the house with the most gables wins. Think simple, clean lines. Then add board and batten siding. Or for a more modern interpretation, the vertical siding could be metal. To complement the verticality of the siding, I like a two over two window grid pattern. A steeper roof pitch for the front facing gable will further accentuate the verticality of the style.

So how long before we get tired of the farmhouse? In some regions, that has already happened, but I think the farmhouse is here to stay. With that said, we need to see more variety in the style and explore more possibilities. To me, the first step in keeping any style fresh is to add color! I believe we will be seeing various forms of farmhouse elevations for some time to come.

Are you ready to take FARMHOUSE to the next level?

Adapted from Housing Design Matters Blog

The first day of summer was about a week ago. That day is officially the longest day of the year. How will you ring in the new season? If you live in the very warm south, summer means escaping the heat – typically with water. Taking a dip in the ocean, floating in a pool, swimming in a lake – even frolicking at a splash park at a nearby amenity center. If you live up north – summer means super long days and enjoying the warmth of the sunshine. Regardless of where you are in the country, summer is made better with outdoor grilling and family vacations. Let’s look at how this relates to home design.

BEATING THE HEAT
When it’s hot and humid, water is the perfect escape. I’m guessing more pools are sold in the summer than any time of the year. Florida and California have the most pools if we’re talking about sheer volume. But when compared to the state’s population, Florida, Arizona, and New Mexico have the most swimming pools per capita (Wyoming has the least number of pools). Pools provide relief from the heat, but they have many other qualities. The sound of moving water is very soothing and can drown out unwanted noises of a nearby road or highway. Moving water, when illuminated at night, takes on a magical quality, enhancing any outdoor space, particularly after dusk!

CAPTURING THE SUN
Long days and warm nights mean lots of outdoor activities. Outdoor living continues to be the rage and is a must in new homes. Of course, a covered back porch is ideal, but don’t forget outdoor living can extend beyond the roof line of your homes. This is especially desirable as summer gives way to fall, and cooler nights offer the perfect scenario for outdoor gatherings.

GRILLING SEASON
To me, summer means outdoor grilling. Everyone enjoys a summer bar-b-que. If your grill is under cover of the porch, consider adding a hood to capture the smoke.
Built-in free-standing grills are also popular without the worry of the smoke. If your grill isn’t under a covered porch, no worries–there are many rain-free summer days to show off your grilling skills! Isn’t it funny how the smell from grilling always brings back happy memories…

STAYCATION
Summer is also synonymous with family vacations. For some, that means trips to visit grandparents, aunts, and uncles. For others, it could mean a trip to some amazing destination. But for the times that you are home, why not make your own backyard a vacation destination? Indeed, since the pandemic, travel has become more expensive and less convenient, so why not staycation!

Creating an awesome backyard with pools, putting greens, waterfalls, fire pits, grilling stations, and beautiful landscaping is a great way to make the most of your home. Outdoor living truly adds to our quality of life.

How do you plan to make the most out of summer? ENJOY!

Adapted from Housing Design Matters Blog

I was having a conversation with my hairdresser who said they were going to sell their house in the next couple of years. But as he looked around, he noticed there were several things that would need to be updated or repaired. And like many homeowners, he is a procrastinator – and wasn’t going to start the projects until they were ready to sell.

Sorry – but that makes no sense to me. Why spend all that money for the benefit of an unknown buyer (who might have different tastes to begin with) with the alleged promise of a faster sale or higher selling price? Why not make a list of all the home improvements and start implementing them now? That way, he and his wife could enjoy their improvements now and hopefully reap the benefits when they do eventually sell.

The four areas I would recommend making improvements to would be:

Outdoor living
Kitchen
Owner’s Bath
Work from Home space

OUTDOOR LIVING
Let’s start outside. What can be done to improve or expand our outdoor living?
A few improvement suggestions:
• Can the flooring be upgraded with tile?
• Can you add an outdoor TV or electric fireplace?
• How about the ceiling? Is it old, yellowing, sagging vinyl? A new, bead board looking ceiling would be a nice improvement.
• While you’re looking at the ceiling – you could add speakers. What about the lighting? Is it adjustable for evening ambiance?

As for expanding the outdoor living, consider living beyond the drip line of the house:
• Can you add a patio that visually expands the outdoor living experience into the backyard?
• What about adding pavers into the yard and add a built-in grill.
• Perhaps you could add a fire pit or fire table. While the idea of keeping it wood burning may have some appeal to keep the cost down, I recommended gas (natural or propane) to minimize the smoke.

THE KITCHEN
Talk about the black hole of remodeling. To keep it affordable, I would see if the current layout of the kitchen can be maintained. Many homeowners are stuck with the super dated, bat-wing island or peninsula with the 42” raised countertop surrounding it.

At a minimum, I would get new countertops and drop the countertop to 36”. A one-level island will expand the space dramatically and there are so many solid surface materials available that would give the kitchen a fresh clean look. Complete the transformation with some fun new pendant fixtures above the bar and you’ve made it out unscathed!

But what about the appliances? So much for keeping it affordable… If there is one appliance I would recommend replacing, it is the microwave that sits over the cooktop or stove. Instead, try to relocate the microwave to the walk-in pantry if you have one.

THE PRIMARY BATH
You know that grand “Roman” tub that eats into half of your bathroom and never gets used? So, put your dollars towards an awesome shower! Without the big bathtub, perhaps a private toilet room could be added. Splurge on a frameless shower enclosure and don’t forget to include a seat in the shower and niches for shampoo and body wash. Consider large format tile for the walls – even if the budget dictates a shower pan. This is a home improvement that will be enjoyed daily, and it’s so worth it. Can’t live without the tub? I would still recommend a sleek and beautiful vessel tub that requires less square footage and creates a soothing ambiance.

WORK FROM HOME SPACE
If the house has unused formal rooms, can one of them be converted into a work from home space? I recently saw someone take their formal dining room and make it into their home office. These spaces need acoustical privacy so adding doors is a must – just don’t waste your money on acoustically-worthless barn doors.

OR… YOU COULD BUY NEW NOW
I hear there are several real estate companies that will give you a guaranteed cash offer without the expense of repairs or hassle of showings. Let’s face it, houses will inevitably become dated and living through a remodel – especially the kitchen – is a pain. Small improvements like paint and countertops can go a long way. However, at some point you have to ask yourself, are you really making up the difference? Is the stress really worth it?

Adapted from Housing Design Matters Blog

Today, watching TV and eating seem to go hand in hand. Whether just snacking while watching the Super Bowl or consuming the evening meal in front of your favorite show. But so much has changed in the design of our homes and our TVs since the 1950s.

Raise your hand if you remember TV trays. Chances are that the younger crowd hasn’t seen one outside of a sitcom or perhaps in their grandparents’ living room. TV trays have been around since the fifties. This coincides closely with the introduction of the “TV Dinner,” the catchy name that Swanson had for their frozen food dinners.

WHERE WAS THE TV?
Houses in the fifties and early sixties had only one black and white TV. It was often small and was in either the living room or family room. Indeed, some even called that room the TV room. Early TVs were small and sat on top of furniture. They were so small that you had to sit close to watch them. Luxury models were encased like a piece of furniture to match the décor of the living room.

WHERE DID WE EAT?
Decades ago, there were mainly two places to eat in the home – the formal dining room or the table in the kitchen. Both rooms were closed off to other rooms. This made eating while watching TV challenging, as food balanced on one’s lap often doesn’t end well – especially with kids. Spilling an entire dinner in the living room was grounds for punishment or going to bed without dinner. The invention of the TV tray was brilliant and offered a third dining option in the home.

Many argue that dining should be time to interact with family and friends. Fair enough! Fortunately, today with on-demand viewing, it lets us pause our favorite shows so we can have our cake, eat it, and watch TV too.

TV AND THE FIREPLACE
It’s an age-old debate – where do you put the TV when there is a fireplace? Once upon a time, when TV screens were small, but the “box” was big, TVs were placed in a built-in on either side of the fireplace. As TV screens kept getting bigger, the “box” got smaller and ultimately went away. Today, the TV is a flat screen that can hang on the wall. But should the TV be the focal point of the family room? Or should the fireplace take precedent? Many opt to put the TV over the fireplace – but you want to be careful not to place it too high or viewers will get a stiff neck trying to watch it. Most folks like the TV front and center for the best viewing. The fireplace creates ambiance and doesn’t have to be viewed straight on.

TVS ARE EVERYWHERE
Back in the fifties and sixties, there was only one TV in the house. Now it seems they are everywhere. And it is a good thing too if you don’t want to want to watch the same thing as your spouse or kids.

Many say they need a TV to fall asleep at night – so no surprise, you can find them in almost every bedroom in the house. Some folks have gone as far as to install a TVs in the bathroom.

If you’re feeling retro, you can still buy TV trays at Walmart or online. One advertiser showed a laptop on the TV tray instead of a Swanson dinner. That’s one great way to market and repurpose an old concept in today’s high tech society!

Adapted from Housing Design Matters Blog

Let’s tackle a hotly-contested argument. Should you paint your brick?
Brick is one of the oldest building materials dating back for centuries. It is durable and considered to be relatively low maintenance. The color of the brick varies based upon a number of factors – but primarily based upon the color of the clay used. This factor used to make brick color indigenous to the area, explaining why we saw red brick in areas of the country with red clay. Continue reading “Home Sweet Home – Part 25 – The Painted Brick Dilemma”

Plain and simple, Americans love their pets. In a recent survey, millennials listed their pet as the third reason for buying a single-family home, even before kids or marriage. There are numerous studies listing the health benefits of pet ownership for folks 55+. And of course, having a pet is an integral part of raising a family. Bottom line, the number of households that have pets in America is staggering. According to the National Pet Owners Survey, 68% of households have at least one pet, with dogs being the most prevalent (naturally followed by cats). Continue reading “Home Sweet Home – Part 24 – A Pet’s Palace”

Once upon a time, our kitchens were strictly utilitarian spaces. This was back when June Clever (Leave It to Beaver mom for those too young to remember) was in the kitchen all day alone. They were very functional for one cook. The kitchen was isolated from the dining and living room where people gathered, so the finishes didn’t have to be fancy. As a result, these kitchens sported laminate cabinets and countertops, vinyl floors, and avocado green or harvest gold appliances. Continue reading “Home Sweet Home – Part 23 – The Messy Kitchen”

Front porches are one of the cornerstones of traditional neighborhoods. Homeowners love them and community planning departments often require them. Let’s go through the basics to capture the magic of a front porch. Continue reading “Home Sweet Home – Part 22 – Porch Living”

Last month was the Best in American Living Awards (BALA) judging in Washington, D.C. There were over 400 entries!

Of course, there was a lot of great design. But a few trends started to emerge. Continue reading “The Latest Trends From Best In American Living Awards”